A Poorly-Appointed Racing Platypus

[Bicycle Belle Ding Ding!]

The Racing Platypus decided to pitch a fit and produce the most grating tic in the bars (you may have read the thread). I did all my usual tricks and could make no headway. Don’t you know that mechanics everywhere loathe the “My bike is making a noise” customer?

But I am better than those customers because I arrive armed with a VIDEO so they can hear the exact sound! (No bike has ever cooperated and made “the sound” on command at the bike shop.)  

Today was the women’s ride and thus, a quandary. With no Racing Platy, the mermaid Shopping Platy was the next logical choice. But there sat my little purple darling, and it was gleaming from its hooks on the garage wall.

The #mylittleplaty is not a candidate for a club ride. The voluminous 48 mm tires on 650b wheels, the two heavy racks it wears - front and back - and the pink basket all make it a poor candidate for club rides. This is my adventure bike, the one that is more portable and more sturdy for the rough stuff. What it lacks in speed, it makes up for in preparedness. It is the least serious bike I own. Irony on wheels; it looks like a powder puff but is tough as nails. It is also the only bike for which I chose every part, a secret source of pride.

I knew better. There was really no choice. But then, as I was getting dressed I remembered…

The Northern Lights jersey.

I bought this jersey to match my purple bike and have never worn it. It’s gorgeous; it’s colorful with long sleeves and feels like autumn.The mermaid Shopping Platy was the better choice for the ride but it did not match the Northern Lights jersey and so the matter was settled.

Let me say…I worked so hard today. I have been sick for a month, an extra disadvantage. My heart rate was up in the 150s the entire ride except for when it was 179, during my pull in a crosswind. But that little bike with its unfortunate wheels and boat anchor racks got me through all 29 miles without lagging.

You can do hard things and do them well, even if you happen to be astride the sparkliest, silliest, most poorly-appointed bike in your group! 

It helps if you have your Northern Lights jersey.

Leah

[Leah Peterson]

On Oct 4, 2024, at 4:29 PM, Bicycle Belle Ding Ding! <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

The Racing Platypus decided to pitch a fit and produce the most grating tic in the bars (you may have read the thread). I did all my usual tricks and could make no headway. Don’t you know that mechanics everywhere loathe the “My bike is making a noise” customer?

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[Chris Halasz]

Leah, 

Perfection! 

But while there is mention of heart rate, there is no mention of average speed. 

Curious whether the normal range was maintained, or whether the rest of the group were intimidated, and simply in awe of that coolest jersey ever (as in, coolest Platy ever), and flat ashamed of their ho-hum hoi-polloi rif-raf Castelli/Izumi whatever wear. And just how much did that color transition in the back mess with the group's envy and heart rates? 

In terms of universal frequencies, maybe the jersey created the bar-stem squeak, to realize the jersey-Platy oneness? 

Meanwhile, my Clem L is communicating, 'which flannel we gonna wear today'? 

- Chris 

[Leah Peterson]

Chris, our average speed was 16.2. The group DID like the jersey - “thanks for bringing the cheer!” one woman called out as I left. I think they’re just relieved when I wear anything appropriate - I am always in sandals and non-padded shorts and whatever shirt, not usually a jersey. 

By the way, one time I had no other bike to take on a club ride except my Clem L. I rode it and nearly died. But we made it. Now you know you can ride your Racing Clem with the clubbies! 

Pictures from the parking lot of the ride prove it!

On Oct 4, 2024, at 4:46 PM, Chris Halasz <cha...@gmail.com> wrote:

Leah, 

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[Joe Bernard]

Hey, that Clem looks familiar! I own it now and I can assure y'all it's ridden properly now..SLOWLY 😜

[John Dewey]

It’s truly a guilty pleasure riding along like that in a disciplined group. And 16.2 is plenty respectable!

Just never ever—that is NEVER—touch wheels. The rider in front carries on, the one in back who got too close almost always ends rubber-side up. 

That’s not so good 😱

Jock

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[Leah Peterson]

It’s so true, Jock. That was the first thing they told me when I joined the club rides 2 years ago…never cross wheels. If you do, you’re going down, not the person in front of you. My women’s group is good that way; we don’t ride aggressively and we follow a code of conduct. It has been a different experience in co-ed groups. I have had men ride my rear wheel and it makes me so nervous (even though they would be the ones going down). 

It’s also true that it is pure pleasure to ride in a group that moves together and swiftly along. We are often riding well over 16, just flying over the countryside. If we hit the wind just right and get some flats and downhills you just really feel a heightened sense of focus and synergy. I love it. Am addicted to it. Plus, we chat! 

On Oct 5, 2024, at 11:11 AM, John Dewey <john...@gmail.com> wrote:



It’s truly a guilty pleasure riding along like that in a disciplined group. And 16.2 is plenty respectable!

Just never ever—that is NEVER—touch wheels. The rider in front carries on, the one in back who got too close almost always ends rubber-side up. 

That’s not so good 😱

Jock

On Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 1:57 PM Leah Peterson <jonasa...@gmail.com> wrote:

Chris, our average speed was 16.2. The group DID like the jersey - “thanks for bringing the cheer!” one woman called out as I left. I think they’re just relieved when I wear anything appropriate - I am always in sandals and non-padded shorts and whatever shirt, not usually a jersey. 

By the way, one time I had no other bike to take on a club ride except my Clem L. I rode it and nearly died. But we made it. Now you know you can ride your Racing Clem with the clubbies! 

Pictures from the parking lot of the ride prove it!

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